We're stuck with him!!!!

Phil_bfc deux

Phil_bfc deux

Well-known member
4 year ** contract for this fraud

There is absolutely no way Sadler will sack him and want to pay out on the contract after what happened last season

Bizarre appointment that stunk of a 'better the devil you know approach'

We needed a fresh start not a re hash of what worked before in different times

If he isn't going to be sacked then he needs to be backed in the transfer window

I won't hold my breath as we sleepwalk to mid table mediocrity though

These last two away games have shown Critchley up for what he is
 
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clappers said:
I think the payers have given up on this system. I know you think the formation isn’t the problem but if it is….loading the team with different players won’t alter things at all. Spending money for no return is the slippery slope to league two
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The problem we have is how he shoehorns the best 3 players into any system

Rhodes can't play as a lone striker and does his best work when he has a partner and Dembele is wide forward who plays best in a front 3

Then there is big Marv who needs to play in a back 4 given his limitations on the ball

So whilst I like Rhodes, Marv and Dembele i dont understand the thought process

At least if he's gonna stick with this 3142 or 352 or 3412 or whatever it is play players to get the best out of them

Dale on the right if going attacking and CJ on the left

or Thompson on the left and Lyons or Gabriel on the right if going more conservative away from home

Let's have some ** balance in the team and fuck off this inverted nonsense that isn't really inverted as they stay so wide on their weak foot

2 left footers wide yesterday when we had better options and the back 3 wide open to a counter attack

All on Critchley
 
At the very least you‘d expect that Simon and the board would have a very serious conversation with him about his tactics and results. I would expect that meeting to end with a warning and timeline to turn things around.

Imo, better to get rid now, a portion of the cost of doing so would be recovered at the gate, because there’s no doubt numbers will drop.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
The problem we have is how he shoehorns the best 3 players into any system

Rhodes can't play as a lone striker and does his best work when he has a partner and Dembele is wide forward who plays best in a front 3

Then there is big Marv who needs to play in a back 4 given his limitations on the ball

So whilst I like Rhodes, Marv and Dembele i dont understand the thought process

At least if he's gonna stick with this 3142 or 352 or 3412 or whatever it is play players to get the best out of them

Dale on the right if going attacking and CJ on the left

or Thompson on the left and Lyons or Gabriel on the right if going more conservative away from home

Let's have some ** balance in the team

2 left footers wide yesterday when we had better options
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Yep. As the old saying goes, it's not brain surgery.
 
Razzledazzle53 said:
I've no idea but would be shocked if there aren't breaks written into his contract.
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This is our big hope, as OP says paying up a 4 year contract (unbelievable) will just cost the club too much, you would hope that when a 4 year contract (unbelievable) was offered there were caveats written into it re performance and these haven’t been met so we can ditch the Critch🤞
 
clappers said:
I think the payers have given up on this system. I know you think the formation isn’t the problem but if it is….loading the team with different players won’t alter things at all. Spending money for no return is the slippery slope to league two
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I agree with this. The fact we didn’t change shape last night was criminal. It beggars belief to be honest.

The tactics are basically, pass around at the back for about 20 passes, Husband step out and release the left wing back who puts a cross in that’s headed away.

Pass it around at back, try and play in Dembele to release CJ, to get to byline and pull it back for nobody.

If that fails. Long diagonals.

They had a number 10 last night who if we signed would be told not to think forwards first and dribble forward, just play it safe and sidewards. It’s basically just like Southgate treated Grealish in that Euro 21. The thought of someone doing something eccentric with the ball was too much.

It’s why it took NC so long to put Dembele in.

Function over flair.
 
I agree that we are currently stuck with him. However, something has to change as this level of inept performances can't continue. I just don't think he will change his formation or approach though.

Also my fear is that the away form will start migrating into our home form. I think Monday will be vital for his short term future. He has to win, if we fall behind and/or our performance is below par, the fans will turn, which will impact the players. Things could get ugly quickly and Sadler may have no choice.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
The problem we have is how he shoehorns the best 3 players into any system

Rhodes can't play as a lone striker and does his best work when he has a partner and Dembele is wide forward who plays best in a front 3

Then there is big Marv who needs to play in a back 4 given his limitations on the ball

So whilst I like Rhodes, Marv and Dembele i dont understand the thought process

At least if he's gonna stick with this 3142 or 352 or 3412 or whatever it is play players to get the best out of them

Dale on the right if going attacking and CJ on the left

or Thompson on the left and Lyons or Gabriel on the right if going more conservative away from home

Let's have some ** balance in the team and fuck off this inverted nonsense that isn't really inverted as they stay so wide on their weak foot

2 left footers wide yesterday when we had better options and the back 3 wide open to a counter attack

All on Critchley
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And most of those players will be gone within a week and no ambitious player in their right mind will replace them - think harder
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
The problem we have is how he shoehorns the best 3 players into any system

Rhodes can't play as a lone striker and does his best work when he has a partner and Dembele is wide forward who plays best in a front 3

Then there is big Marv who needs to play in a back 4 given his limitations on the ball

So whilst I like Rhodes, Marv and Dembele i dont understand the thought process

At least if he's gonna stick with this 3142 or 352 or 3412 or whatever it is play players to get the best out of them

Dale on the right if going attacking and CJ on the left

or Thompson on the left and Lyons or Gabriel on the right if going more conservative away from home

Let's have some ** balance in the team and fuck off this inverted nonsense that isn't really inverted as they stay so wide on their weak foot

2 left footers wide yesterday when we had better options and the back 3 wide open to a counter attack

All on Critchley
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I know you are dead against inverted wingers but tbh that's the least of our problems.
It's Critch's stubborness in general that I'm against.
He's fixated on this system and I can see why introducing a system that is played throughout the Club is a good thing, if it works. Eventually through recruitment and departures you will have a squad to suit the system. We don't currently have those players.
Then there's his "favouritism". I don't want to make Connolly the whipping boy but he's been played ahead of better players.
I've been critical of Carey for a while but since November he's started to look a competent player. So now he's rested.
Kenny was the King and now he's de-throned for mysterious reasons. Ok that might be out of his control but he's under contract so we should have been making the most of him whilst he was still ours.
Back to your pet subject is it too big a deal to keep swapping our inverted during the game other than the formation is set in stone?
But why is there such a world of difference between our home and away form?
Critch isnt unsackable, there wil always be break clauses and at the very least Sadler is astute enough not to give unbreakable contracts.
No idea what will or should happen next.
 
Another concern, if Critchley is to be supposedly backed is now attempting to attract quality aquasitions. Mid table in Lg1 is hardly tempting for ambitious players & whereby Critchley's coaching reputation was a pull previously would imagine that's now been tarnished over the last couple of years.
 
I agree with the idea that the players are fed up with it. I don't fundamentally mind us having a system. I don't even mind us setting up inverted and playing 3/5 because on occasion it has worked really nicely - what I do mind, is the fact that it's nakedly apparent after 20 minutes of games that it isn't working and we do nothing about it.

All systems have their drawbacks. There isn't a system that guarantees you win every week. What there is, especially at a level like this where generally, you're not dealing with 11 'perfect' players and are working to make the most of what you've got, is a need to adjust. I'm sure the players grasp that too. They look beaten as soon as we go behind as if they know 'they've done a number on us, and he's not going to do anything about it'

Critch 1.0 gave you the impression that, if nothing else, he'd done his homework but I couldn't grasp the following last night:

They had 2 very inexperienced full backs - why not start Dale who is our best winger technically (or at least bring him on with more than 15 mins to go) - when he came on, he showed he had the beating of their young lad as it's likely any half decent experienced player will put pressure on a kid.

Carey is our best ball carrier in midfield. Say what you like about him, but he's good at picking it up and driving. Vale Park is a huge pitch. Why leave him out on the pitch that is best suited to driving runs in the league and why, when you lose Norburn, bring on Virtue instead? Dembele always looks better with Carey as Sonny is mobile and gives/goes and drives and that makes space for Dembele as you have to track him too.

We desperately lack nous. Whether that's on the pitch or off it or both. We desperately need someone to get us together and go, 'it's ok, we've got an hour - CJ, do x, Sonny, push up, Owen, get tight, Jordan, come deep for 5 minutes...' or whatever. To come up with some plans in game that pose fresh challenges to the opposition. It's like we don't read games. We just do the thing we did in the training session and that's it. Add Bolton, Cambridge, Burton and Port Vale together and there's about 30 minutes of football from 360 where we looked vaguely threatening and I'm pretty sure every single sub we've made in those games has been like for like.

Don't get me on the topic of super Bobby Apter...
 
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There's countless similarities to the 20/21season. The difference then was a number 2 coming in and - apparently - having the influence to get us playing 2 up front. The simple truth then was that Jerry was our best option for scoring goals and Jerry played miles better when partnered by a big lad. It was never NC's preference to play that way as he'd spent all pre-season and loads of games trying his preferred approach.

This season I see similar stuff. The insistence on 3-5-2 with inverted wide players. Done with such stubbornness that Connolly has been played at lwb just to keep the system going. As Phil rightly says, it's system over players strengths time and time again. A simpleton can see that CJ will cause problems if he's allowed to work in a system that gives him space to run into in the oppositions half. A simpleton can also see that CJ will never have the technical skills and football nouse to do cuter stuff and work in tight spaces.

Just listening to NC's interview and it's coaching by numbers. He's reading the manual and not actually reading the game in front of him. You get the feeling that he looks at possession and momentum stats and says, 'well we were bossing it, we're just unlucky.'
 
straightatthewall said:
There's countless similarities to the 20/21season. The difference then was a number 2 coming in and - apparently - having the influence to get us playing 2 up front. The simple truth then was that Jerry was our best option for scoring goals and Jerry played miles better when partnered by a big lad. It was never NC's preference to play that way as he'd spent all pre-season and loads of games trying his preferred approach.

This season I see similar stuff. The insistence on 3-5-2 with inverted wide players. Done with such stubbornness that Connolly has been played at lwb just to keep the system going. As Phil rightly says, it's system over players strengths time and time again. A simpleton can see that CJ will cause problems if he's allowed to work in a system that gives him space to run into in the oppositions half. A simpleton can also see that CJ will never have the technical skills and football nouse to do cuter stuff and work in tight spaces.

Just listening to NC's interview and it's coaching by numbers. He's reading the manual and not actually reading the game in front of him. You get the feeling that he looks at possession and momentum stats and says, 'well we were bossing it, we're just unlucky.'
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Just look at stats for the last 2 games.
We're the dogs bollocks 😁,
or is it dog 💩?
 
straightatthewall said:
There's countless similarities to the 20/21season. The difference then was a number 2 coming in and - apparently - having the influence to get us playing 2 up front. The simple truth then was that Jerry was our best option for scoring goals and Jerry played miles better when partnered by a big lad. It was never NC's preference to play that way as he'd spent all pre-season and loads of games trying his preferred approach.

This season I see similar stuff. The insistence on 3-5-2 with inverted wide players. Done with such stubbornness that Connolly has been played at lwb just to keep the system going. As Phil rightly says, it's system over players strengths time and time again. A simpleton can see that CJ will cause problems if he's allowed to work in a system that gives him space to run into in the oppositions half. A simpleton can also see that CJ will never have the technical skills and football nouse to do cuter stuff and work in tight spaces.

Just listening to NC's interview and it's coaching by numbers. He's reading the manual and not actually reading the game in front of him. You get the feeling that he looks at possession and momentum stats and says, 'well we were bossing it, we're just unlucky.'
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astute point. he’s reading the manual not the game.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
4 year ** contract for this fraud

There is absolutely no way Sadler will sack him and want to pay out on the contract after what happened last season

Bizarre appointment that stunk of a 'better the devil you know approach'

We needed a fresh start not a re hash of what worked before in different times

If he isn't going to be sacked then he needs to be backed in the transfer window

I won't hold my breath as we sleepwalk to mid table mediocrity though

These last two away games have shown Critchley up for what he is
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And so, the wanderer returns. With his messages of peace and harmony.
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
That’s the flaw
Football is a game to be won - there’s not a textbook answer
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It’s the same with consultants and dossiers when picking managers.

It’s so obvious that the emphasis is on what we have worked on in training and carrying that through into games even when the facts of the game demonstrate what we have been working on isn’t working in that particular game.

The whole of football these days is about being too clever
 
The Catcher in the Rye said:
This is our big hope, as OP says paying up a 4 year contract (unbelievable) will just cost the club too much, you would hope that when a 4 year contract (unbelievable) was offered there were caveats written into it re performance and these haven’t been met so we can ditch the Critch🤞
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I've said similar in previous threads. Risk management is a big part of SS's business, so surely he's mitigated the risk of a 4 year contract with a performance related severance clause?

As we got a good compo payout last time, I'm guessing that's the reason for the 4 year contract, that and an attempt at stability after the shit show of last season

Otherwise the o/p is right, we're stuck with him
 
FY4MIKEH said:
You think he'd have learned his lesson after handing Appleton such a long contract. It was never going to take much for the fans to turn on Critchley. We never wanted him here, it was a matter of principle more than anything else.
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If the football on offer was exciting and we had serious hopes of promotion, people would have accepted him.
But he is massively failing as a coach, with no plan B, sticking rigidly to a system that clearly does not suit the players at his disposal
 
The thought that he is just one eighth of the way through his latest contract is pretty sobering. I agree the players are fed up with the system. I'll venture that the ones seen as his favourites are just as fed up too, as it is making them look weak and useless. How he could not find the inspiration to adjust his system last night is baffling to be honest. A massive pitch, two kids at the back for them and we give them the easiest night possible. Dire.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
4 year ** contract for this fraud

There is absolutely no way Sadler will sack him and want to pay out on the contract after what happened last season

Bizarre appointment that stunk of a 'better the devil you know approach'

We needed a fresh start not a re hash of what worked before in different times

If he isn't going to be sacked then he needs to be backed in the transfer window

I won't hold my breath as we sleepwalk to mid table mediocrity though

These last two away games have shown Critchley up for what he is
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What’s the point of him being backed in the transfer window if he still plays players out of position, drops our best players, and plays a system that isn’t working and is turgid to watch ?

Every time I moaned about the stupidity of a 4 year contract I was told there were clauses that would free us. Let’s hope.
 
Huge reset needed for new year
4 at the back with Marv and Pennington in the middle and Husband and Gabriel full backs. Plenty of cover if needed with Casey, Thompson and Connolly

Push CJ and Dale forward as proper wingers, inverted or otherwise but as others have said be prepared to switch mid match

Ditch the 5 at the back asap. It’s not working and makes for very difficult watching
 
Adams Kebab said:
I agree with this. The fact we didn’t change shape last night was criminal. It beggars belief to be honest.

The tactics are basically, pass around at the back for about 20 passes, Husband step out and release the left wing back who puts a cross in that’s headed away.

Pass it around at back, try and play in Dembele to release CJ, to get to byline and pull it back for nobody.

If that fails. Long diagonals.

They had a number 10 last night who if we signed would be told not to think forwards first and dribble forward, just play it safe and sidewards. It’s basically just like Southgate treated Grealish in that Euro 21. The thought of someone doing something eccentric with the ball was too much.

It’s why it took NC so long to put Dembele in.

Function over flair.
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It’s hardly even function if it doesn’t do just that.
 
Lala said:
What’s the point of him being backed in the transfer window if he still plays players out of position, drops our best players, and plays a system that isn’t working and is turgid to watch ?
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It does work sometimes, it certainly works at home

I think he plays the system so he can shoehorn Dembele and Rhodes into it

Its out wide that the problems are and to me is an easy fix

Just play right footer on the right and a left on the left so they can create with their stronger foot

Dale was our most dangerous player when he came on but even then he was crossing with his weak foot
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
It does work sometimes, it certainly works at home

I think he plays the system so he can shoehorn Dembele and Rhodes into it

Its out wide that the problems are and to me is an easy fix

Just play right footer on the right and a left on the left so they can create with their stronger foot
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It does work sometimes, that’s why it’s even more annoying when he cocks it up away, consistently.

And agree re your easy fix, but he won’t do it for some inane reason, and that’s stupidity right there. Or ineffective stubbornness that is costing us a season.
 
tigger said:
Huge reset needed for new year
4 at the back with Marv and Pennington in the middle and Husband and Gabriel full backs. Plenty of cover if needed with Casey, Thompson and Connolly

Push CJ and Dale forward as proper wingers, inverted or otherwise but as others have said be prepared to switch mid match

Ditch the 5 at the back asap. It’s not working and makes for very difficult watching
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Its more of a back 3 to be honest as the wide players simply don't or can't defend, CJ was really high last night that's obviously a manager instruction

I do think that when we are chasing games there should be a change though

Last night wasn't a back 5 it was a lob sided mess
 
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Phil_bfc deux said:
Its more of a back 3 to be honest as the wide players simply don't or can't defend, CJ was really high last night that's obviously a manager instruction

I do think that when we are chasing games there should be a change though
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CJ didn’t move a CM from the touchline for the majority of the game. Extremely easy to mark. He also ran directly into the defender twice and lost the ball twice.

1/10 performance game after game and gets away with it.
 
SeasideKurt said:
CJ didn’t move a CM from the touchline for the majority of the game. Extremely easy to mark. He also ran directly into the defender twice and lost the ball twice.

1/10 performance game after game and gets away with it.
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Even when we had the ball high on the opposite side he stayed tight on the left touchline i was watching him closely to see how shite he actually was

i do feel for him a bit though as he's clearly carrying out instructions from the master fcuking tactical genius
 
Time to see what Sadler is made of.

Critchley won't change- he can't, he doesn't know how to and only has people who are of the same mindset behind him.

Can't see SS sacking NC unless there is some clause in there and even then I wouldn't trust him to choose a new manager. So what next? The imposed No 2 I think, but it's too late for that. Any success that followed would be seen to be down to the No 2.

It's all a lot more complicated than inverted wingers and CJ I'm afraid.
 
Woke up this morning thinking that I might have chilled out a bit, but I've not. He's going no where and we all know it, this season will very quickly become a write off at this rate.
 
SeasideKurt said:
CJ didn’t move a CM from the touchline for the majority of the game. Extremely easy to mark. He also ran directly into the defender twice and lost the ball twice.

1/10 performance game after game and gets away with it.
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The amount of times he turned his back and bottled challenges as well

As soon as he turned his back to that miss hit clearance he should have been hooked

I can just about stomach poor play but not a lack of desire or commitment
 
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